John Barker
external image william-howe-1-sized.jpg John Barker a doctor and citizen to connecticut served in the revolutionary war.
John Barker was born on August 18th 1754. His parents are Joshua and Mary BarkerHe descended from a long line of strong determined and dedicated men and women who had peopled this country from the early days of its European settlement. With this heritage and the total immersion of the New England colonies in the fight for Independence, it is understandable why in June of 1777, John Barker requested that his Yale professors allow him to leave college and enlist in the Continental Army.He spent the winter with his regiment at Valley Forge and in June 1778 was involved in the Battle of Monmouth. Later in an engagement with the British at Newport, RI, under Generals Sullivan, Green and La Fayette, he was seriously wounded. While leading his Battalion, with his right arm raised, he was hit by a bullet in his shoulder which proceeded up his arm and lodged just above the elbow. John was taken to a hospital in Providence where the bullet was removed.However his right arm was damaged beyond repair and became useless for the remainder of his life. For awhile, during his convalescence, he remained in the army, and then finally resigned in March, 1779. With his military career over, he began medical studies under the tutelage of his cousin, also named John Barker, of Franklin, CT. His cousin was the son of his father Joshua’s half brother, and was one of the most respected physicians of the time in that area.